To associate with the good, to read the good books, to listen to the good words, and to follow the good deeds. This had always been Yang Yi’s modus operandi. Although perhaps in the underworld, or indeed anywhere in the world, no one was entirely saintly, it was widely known within the Black God Gang that Yang Yi never adopted the airs of the Dragon Lord of the Black God Gang; in fact, he treated his subordinates exceptionally well. This was why the Black God Gang had developed at a dizzying pace, quickly becoming a major domestic syndicate second only to the northern underworld powers. — The Rogue Young Master’s Chronicles

“Boss, you really plan to go with just these few people?”

Once they were seated on the plane, Xu Ming kept pressing, as if this trip to Hangzhou for the banquet felt like a dangerous trap to him. And it wasn't just him; Xuanyuan Bing and Fat Lin were equally perplexed.

“I notice that you all seem rather worried about what might happen when we get to Hangzhou?” Yang Yi asked, a distinctly wicked curve playing on his lips.

Hearing this, everyone—except for Xuanyuan Bing, who remained in thoughtful contemplation—spoke in unison: “Isn’t that obvious?”

“Heh,” Yang Yi chuckled wryly. “Alright, I understand you’re anxious about me not bringing more men to Hangzhou. It’s just… is it that I don’t care, or are you all just too tense?”

“Indeed, they are too tense,” Xuanyuan Bing interjected.

“It’s understandable,” Yang Yi conceded lightly, sweeping his gaze over them. “The former and current heads of the Eight Great Families, leaders from various sectors of the Chinese government connected to those families, commanders from the Four Great Military Regions, even the three ‘Princes’ of the northern underworld, and the leaders of the Four Great Chinese Sects—all these titans will be converging in Hangzhou. If they weren't nervous, that would be strange.”

He paused, noticing their slightly disdainful expressions, and continued, “Actually, you don’t need to be so stressed. While I can’t guarantee nothing will happen at this banquet, one thing is certain: the hosts are the Eight Great Families. Anyone who dares to cause trouble at an event jointly organized by the Eight Great Families in China is asking for trouble. More importantly, don’t forget where Hangzhou is—it’s in the South. And what the South represents, I shouldn't need to elaborate, right?”

“Huh?” The group murmured in confusion.

Yes, the South belonged to the Black God Gang. For a member of the Black God Gang, especially the Dragon Lord, for something untoward to happen in Hangzhou, in the South… wouldn’t that make the Black God Gang look weak? Furthermore, with representatives from the Four Great Chinese Sects present, they shouldn't forget that Yang Yi was the Sect Master of the Profound Gate.

Although Yang Yi knew that the friction between the sects was largely instigated by Ye Han’s ambition to dominate the Four Great Chinese Sects, leading to so much conflict, in simpler terms, Ye Han sought to consolidate power by ruling from the top, expecting the subordinate factions to naturally fall in line. After all, the Four Great Chinese Sects were not forces that the Eight Great Families or the Chinese government could easily block or restrict.

However, as his ambition began to unfold step by step, an unexpected figure emerged: Yang Yi, and the Black God Gang—a force capable of challenging Ye Han.

Yang Yi had conquered the majority of the Chinese underworld, extending his reach to places like Japan and the UK, and he held the title of Profound Gate Sect Master. Put plainly, Yang Yi had clawed his way up from the very bottom, forging a bloody path forward with sheer determination. Ye Han, conversely, was the opposite kind of person; he was descending from the heights of power, meaning their paths were destined to cross eventually.

This invitation from the Eight Great Families in China, rumored to be a 'Hongmen Banquet' (a feast set up as a trap), was no exaggeration. In fact, it was truly a Hongmen Banquet, for this meeting point would mark the beginning of the clash between these two ambitious figures, Yang Yi and Ye Han. Had they not met, perhaps they would have continued developing their respective domains in parallel. But once they met, the collision would be like two stars impacting—unstoppable.

Recalling the situation, Yang Yi let out a soft laugh. “Heh, in short, don’t overthink it. That only tortures yourselves. Just listen to me: treat this trip like a vacation.”

Yang Yi made it sound effortless, but who knew what thoughts churned beneath the surface? Nevertheless, hearing his casual tone, everyone indeed relaxed considerably. Yang Yi smiled, satisfied with their reaction, though a shadow lay beneath his grin. The person beneath one man and above ten thousand? He might very well be here too. Looks like this gathering is truly where the winds and clouds meet. Well then, I’ll use this opportunity to clearly distinguish friend from foe. Then, when the fighting starts, there will be no need for sentiment. I believe you think the same, don't you, Ye Han? Yang Yi muttered internally, shifting his gaze out the window.

Miles of cloud layers coalesced, the vast sea of white resembling all sentient beings, as if their life and death were already decreed. Yang Yi had always known what he was striving for. After a long moment of contemplation, he whispered, “The pinnacle?”

“Yi!” Xuanyuan Bing had been watching him intently since he fell into contemplation. As he drifted into thought, Xuanyuan Bing suddenly felt Yang Yi’s presence receding, seeming further and further away.

“Hm? What is it?” Yang Yi asked, returning from his ethereal state amidst the clouds and mist.

“Oh, nothing, just calling you,” Xuanyuan Bing replied, clearly not speaking her true mind. But there was little she could do; she understood why Yang Yi’s figure seemed to drift away even while standing right before her eyes. A smile that brings a hundred charms—Xuanyuan Bing didn't possess that level of artifice, yet she carried a similar allure, momentarily stunning Yang Yi.

“Let’s rest for a while; it’s still a few hours until we arrive.”

“En.” Xuanyuan Bing leaned her head against Yang Yi’s shoulder, murmuring softly, “No matter what you do, whether what you do is right or wrong, I will always follow you. To heaven or to hell—this is the promise between you and me.”

“Uh…” Yang Yi wanted to speak, but seeing Xuanyuan Bing close her lips and eyes, he took a deep breath. He knew she had glimpsed his thoughts, and his lips twitched slightly. Sometimes, gentleness was its own kind of devil. Xuanyuan Bing’s fleeting glance had almost sparked an impulse in Yang Yi to consummate their relationship right there and then. Not to mention the virginal fragrance emanating from her now. The notorious rogue hadn't felt this way in a long time. The sudden surge of desire forced him to close his eyes and suppress it; he truly did not want to act on that raw impulse right then and there.

The southern city of Hangzhou was currently a place where dragons and snakes mingled, where every kind of powerful, hidden figure had gathered, adding a certain flavor to the city—though one that felt undeniably oppressive. The Black God Gang’s influence in the South was at its zenith. Under Han Zhong’s arrangement, Lin Bai had officially been promoted from an outer-ring gang supervisor to the head of the Southern Black God Gang, the Hangzhou Branch Minister, managing all underworld activities in the Hangzhou area.

Upon learning that Yang Yi was coming to Hangzhou, Lin Bai was extremely excited. Memories of their time in City A flooded back, and he held immense gratitude toward Yang Yi. In his heart, an indelible mark was etched: Without Yang Yi, there would be no Lin Bai today.

“Heaven above, earth below, the saying goes ‘Heaven above, Su and Hang below’ [referencing Suzhou and Hangzhou].” Xu Ming rambled on the side, “This isn’t wrong. Though it lacks the bustle of Shanghai or the surging crowds there, it has a unique charm. Especially what these people are wearing—mm, first-rate.” He trailed off mid-sentence, suddenly realizing everyone was staring at him.

Faced with all those gazes, even with Xu Ming’s thick skin, his face couldn't help but flush red. He asked, “Why are you all looking at me?”

“We weren’t looking at you; we were just looking at an idiot,” the others jeered in unison.

“Damn it…!” Xu Ming felt choked for words. He chose to completely ignore their contemptuous looks, muttering, “What the heck, suddenly calling me an idiot!”

Just as Xu Ming finished speaking, a long black Lincoln, followed by three other black sedans, pulled up in front of Yang Yi’s group and stopped. A middle-aged man and several burly men in black emerged from the vehicles; the aura radiating from them was deeply sinister.

“Greetings, Dragon L—”

“Enough, no need for such formalities. This is broad daylight; I don’t want to look like an idiot. Let’s go; take us to where we’re staying first.” Yang Yi waved his hand, signaling Lin Bai to skip the elaborate etiquette. After all, they were at the airport, and with their arrival, quite a few people were already glancing over. He had initially intended to keep a low profile, but now they were attracting too much attention.

“Yes!” Lin Bai understood immediately. He knew Yang Yi always preferred discretion, especially on this trip to Hangzhou.

After everyone settled into the vehicles, the engines roared to life, and the three cars sped away. However, after their departure, a solitary figure remained standing high above the airport terminal. A sword was sheathed on his back, and he wore simple cloth garments, emanating an air that suggested he was untouched by worldly concerns.

“Have they finally arrived? Even fish that swim too deep need to breathe,” the figure murmured, then a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. “Who is that?”

“Who it is doesn't matter. What matters is that you go back and tell your Young Master this: if he dares touch a single hair on Yang Yi’s head, I will wipe out his entire lineage!” The voice was crisp, and the tone carried a sharp, murderous quality—undeniably a woman's voice.